Stack frame



J1me 1954 w. F. LIEBIG 3,135,257

smcx mum Filed April 5, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 William F. Liz-my INVENTOK.

w. F. LIEBIG smcx June 2, 1954- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 5, 1962 This invention relates to a trailer-type stack frame assembly particularlyuseful for forming uniform haystacks. I

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a maneuverable frame assembly adapted to form a confining configuration or crib for receiving material such as hay from a loader to form a uniform stack.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a haystack frame assembly in accordance with the foregoing object, more rapidly and with less labor or difficulty, which assembly is furthermore easily removed, collapsed and towed from place-to-place. 1 4 Inaccordance with the foregoing objects, the stack frame assembly of the present invention forms a trailer adapted to be hitched to a towing vehicle so that in response to forward movement of the vehicle, the stack frame assemblyis collapsed to a triangular configuration for easier towing thereof in a less spatially extensive condition. Rearward movement of the stack frame assem bly by the towing vehicle will conversely extend the stack frame assembly to form a large hay-receiving crib. Locking bars carried by the frame assembly may be utilized to render the hay-receiving crib'rigid in its extended condition so as to form a uniform haystack. The frame assembly is therefore supported between rearwardly mounted wheel assemblies and the towing vehicle. However, each corner of the stack frame assembly is provided With'skid elements arranged to support the frame assembly when in its extended condition and for anchoring of the assembly in such condition to the ground.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in thedetails of construction and .operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accom panying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which: A FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the stack frame assembly in its collapsed condition.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective ,view of the stack frame assemblylocked in its extended condition.

FIGURE 3 is a partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 3,3 in FIGURE-2.

FIGURE 4 is a partial sectional view taken substan- United States Patent ICC V wardly by any suitable towing yehicle, the rear wheel astially through a plane indicated by section line 4-4 in FIGURE 2.

. FIGURE 5 is a partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 5--5 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURES 6-8v are diagrammatic top plan views illustrating the maneuvering of the stack frame assembly between'its extended and collapsed conditions.

.Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate the stack frame assembly generally referred to by reference numeral 10 in its two conditions.

Jin the collapsed condition illustrated in FIGURE 1, the

semblies 12 and 14 will be drawn together so as to form the triangular configuration. Rearward movement of the frame assembly by the towing vehicle as indicated in FiGURE 7, will cause the rear wheel assemblies 12 and 14 to separate in order to form an open rear end to the frame assembly. When the frame assembly forms a rectangular configuration with an open end, hay may be easily pushed into the rectangular configuration after the side frame assemblies 16 and 18 have been anchored to the ground. After the hay has been loaded into the crib so formed, a collapsible rear frame assembly 20 may be formed so as to hold the top of the stack high enough and act as a guide to finish the haystack. Upon collapse or removal of the rear frame assembly 20 together with removal of the side frame assembly anchoring devices, the

stack frame may again be hitched to a towing vehicle and towed to a new location. The stack frame therefore also includes a front frame assembly 22 with respect to which the side frame assemblies 16 and 18 are pivotally displaceable by the, action of the rear wheel assemblies. A hitch assembly 24 is therefore connected to the front frame assembly 22 for the purpose of towing the stack frame.

Referring now to FIGURES l, 2 and 3, it will be observed that the front frame assembly 22 includes a hori zontal top frame member 26 to which a pair of pivot brackets 28 are secured as by welding by means of plate members 30 affixed to the opposite end portions of the top frame member 26. Axially aligned with the pivot bracket members 28, are lower pivot supporting members 32 which in turn are spaced apart by a drawbar member 34 seated within suitable brackets 36 fixed to as by welding to the lower pivot support members 32. The hitch frame assembly 24is therefore pivotally connected at spaced locations to the drawbar 34 by means of pivot brackets 3g. Rigidly interconnecting diagonally opposite end portions of the lower pivot support members 32 and the upper horizontal frame member 26, are a pair of cross brace membersAtl. Accordingly, each of the cross brace members 46 is secured to the welded plate members 30 and to a connecting plate member secured to the lower pivot support member 32. Accordingly, a rigid front frame assembly is formed with the coaxially aligned lower pivot support members 32 and the upper pivot bracket members 28 being fixedly spaced from each other for receiving therebetween the frontpost members 42 of the side frame assemblies 16 and 18. i I

Each of the side frame assemblies therefore includes a rear post member 44 rearwardly spaced from the front post member 42 so as to form therewith a pivoting plane. A plurality of horizontal frame members 46 therefore interconnect the front and rear post members 42 and '44 and are further interconnected by a cross brace member 48 so as to form a rigid side frame assembly. The lower ends of the rear post members 44 are therefore also provided with lower support members 50.

The rear wheel assemblies 12 and 14 are similar in construction, each including an axle "supporting member- 52 fixedly mounted on the lower supporting member 5t) of the side frame assembly. The axle supporting member 52 extends from the lower supporting member 50 laterally of and in a forward direction with respect to its associated side frame assembly. A supporting brace Patented June 2, 1964- member 52 and the bottom one of the horizontal frame members 46. The axle supporting member 52 therefore rotatably mounts a ground engaging wheel 56. It will therefore be apparent from the foregoing description of the wheel assemblies in relation to the side frame assemblies, that when the stack frame is in its collapsed condition as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 6, the wheel assembly axes will be disposed substantially perpendicular to the direction of vehicle movement and substantially in alignment with rear skid elements 58 fixed to the lower ends of the lower supporting members 50. In the extended condition of the stack frame as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 8, the wheel assembly axes will be out-of-alignment and forwardly spaced from the rear skid elements 58 with respect to the direction of vehicle movement as more clearly indicated in FIGURE 4. Accordingly, any slight upward tilt of the stack frame assembly would bring the rear skid elements 58 into ground engagement when the stack frame assembly is maneuvered into an extended condition as distinguished from the situation when the stack frame is in its collapsed condition wherein the skid elements 58 are not in ground engagement as more clearly indicated in FIGURE 5.

The rear skid elements 58are therefore arcuate in shape and are provided with an aperture on the rear portion thereof through which an anchoring spike 60 is received as more clearly seen in FIGURE 4. Accordingly, after the stack frame has been maneuvered into the extended condition as illustrated in FIGURE 8, the anchoring spikes 60 may be applied so as to anchor the side frame assemblies 16 and 18 in perpendicular relation to the front frame assembly 22 whereupon hay may be pushed into the rectangular configuration so formed. In this position, the stack frame may be supported between the rear skid elements 58 which are anchored to the ground and front skid elements 62 secured to the lower ends of the lower pivot support members 32 which form part of the front frame assembly 22.

The rectangular configuration formed by the stack frame in its extended condition, may be closed by means of the aforementioned collapsible rear frame 20. The rear frame 20 may therefore be formed by connecting at least two locking bar members 64 between the rear post members 44 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 2. Removal of the locking bars 64 will permit collapse of the stack frame after the haystack has been formed. Accordingly, the locking bars 64 are carried by the front frame assembly 22' when not in use as more clearly seen in FIGURE 1. The front frame assembly is therefore provided with a locking bar hanger arrangement including a pair of horizontally spaced vertical frame members 66 which are interconnected to the cross frame members 40 to render the front frame assembly even more rigid and to also mount hanger hooks 63 for the locking bars 64. The vertical hanger frame members 66 may therefore also be interconnected by a horizontal frame member 70.

From the foregoing description, the operation and utility of the stack frame of the present invention will be apparent. It will therefore be appreciated, that assembly, disassembly and movement of the stack frame described may be accomplished by one individual through use of a towing vehicle. Also, it will be appreciated that the construction for accomplishing the aforementioned objective is relatively simple to manufacture, economical and requires the expenditure of a minimum of effort and time in connection with the formation and collapse of the haystack frame.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desiredto limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and 4. equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A stack frame assembly comprising, front frame means, hitch means connected to said front frame means adapted to be coupled to a towing vehicle, side frame means pivotally connected to said front frame means, ground supporting wheel means operatively connected to said side frame means and operative to pivotally displace said side frame means relative to the front frame means between extended and collapsed conditions in response to movement of the front frame means by the towing vehicle, and removable locking means carried by the front towing vehicle, and removable locking means carried by the front frame means and engageable with the side frame means for lockingthe side frame means in said extended condition to form a rigid material forming configuration, said wheel means being operative to displace said side frame means toward said extended condition in response to rearward movement of the front frame, said wheel means being further operative to displace said side frame means toward collapsed condition in response to forward movement of the front frame means to form a triangular configuration, ground engaging skid means operatively connected to said front and side frame means for supporting thereof in said extended condition of the side frame means, said side frame means comprising a pair of side frame assemblies, each assembly including a front post pivotally mounted by the front frame means and a rear post fixedly spaced from the front post to define a pivotal plane therebetween, said supporting wheel means comprises axle means fixedly mounted by the side frame means for displacement therewith and extending in a lateral and forward direction from the side frame means, and ground engaging wheels rotatably mounted by the axle means at a toe-in angle with respect to the side frame means for displacement thereof in response to forward and rearward movement of the side frame means.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said skid means includes anchoring skid elements fixedly mounted by the side frame means adjacent to the supporting wheel means for displacement into ground engagement by movement of the side frame means relative to the wheel means toward said extended condition.

3'. The combination of claim 2, wherein said front frame means includes, horizontal frame members fixedly spaced from each other, upper and lower pivot means fixed to said frame members for pivotally mounting said front posts therebetween, hanger means fixedly mounted be tween said frame members for carrying said locking means, said hitch means being connected to said one of said frame members.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein said locking means includes at least two locking bars carried by said front frame means and connectible to said side frame meansto form a collapsible rear frame therewith.

5. A stack frame assembly comprising, front frame means, hitch means connected to said front frame means adapted to be coupled'to a towing vehicle, side frame means pivotally connected to said front frame means, ground supporting wheel means operatively connected to said side frame means and operative to pivotally displace said side frame means relative to the front frame means between extended and collapsed conditions in response to movement of the front frame means by the towing vehicle, and removable locking means carried by the front frame means and engageable with the side frame means for locking the side frame means in said extended condition to form a rigid material forming configuration, said supporting wheel means comprising axle means fixedly mounted by the side frame means for displacement therewith and extending in a lateral and forward direction from the side frame means, and ground engaging Wheels rotatably mounted by the axle means at a toe-1n angle with respect to the side frame means for displacement thereof in response to forward and rearward movement of the side frame means.

6. A stack frame assembly comprising a front frame, a pair'of elongated side frames projecting rearwardly of said front frame and spaced apart and pivotally secured at their forward ends to said front frame for movement about upstanding axes, and ground engaging supporting wheel means carried by the rear ends of said side frame and operative to swing the rear ends of said side frames toward and away from each other relative to said front frame in response to front to rear reciprocation of said front frame over the ground, said supporting wheel means comprising axle means fixedly mounted by the side frames for displacement therewith and extending in a lateral and forward direction from the side frames, and ground-engaging wheels rotatably mounted by the axle means at a tow-in angle with respect to the side frames for displacement thereof in response to forward and rearward movement of the side frames.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein said front frame includes, horizontal frame members fixedly spaced from each other, upper and lower pivot means fixed to said frame members for pivotally mounting said side frames therebetween, hanger means fixedly mounted between said frame members for carrying said locking means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 320,153 Miller June 16, 1885 881,705 Murray Mar. 10, 1908 977,575 Way Dec. 6, 1910 988,682 Wattripont Apr. 4, 1911 2,729,196 Breitenbach Jan. 3, 1956 2,932,299 Brandt et a1 Apr. 12, 1960 3,057,359 Schonert Oct. 9, 1962 3,093,141 Sherven June 11, 1963 

1. A STACK FRAME ASSEMBLY COMPRISING, FRONT FRAME MEANS, HITCH MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID FRONT FRAME MEANS ADAPTED TO BE COUPLED TO A TOWING VEHICLE, SIDE FRAME MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID FRONT FRAME MEANS, GROUND SUPPORTING WHEEL MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID SIDE FRAME MEANS AND OPERATIVE TO PIVOTALLY DISPLACE SAID SIDE FRAME MEANS RELATIVE TO THE FRONT FRAME MEANS BETWEEN EXTENDED AND COLLAPSED CONDITIONS IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF THE FRONT FRAME MEANS BY THE TOWING VEHICLE, AND REMOVABLE LOCKING MEANS CARRIED BY THE FRONT TOWING VEHICLE, AND REMOVABLE LOCKING MEANS CARRIED BY THE FRONT FRAME MEANS AND ENGAGEABLE WITH THE SIDE FRAME MEANS FOR LOCKING THE SIDE FRAME MEANS IN SAID EXTENDED CONDITION TO FORM A RIGID MATERIAL FORMING CONFIGURATION, SAID WHEEL MEANS BEING OPERATIVE TO DISPLACE SAID SIDE FRAME MEANS TOWARD SAID EXTENDED CONDITION IN RESPONSE TO REARWARD MOVEMENT OF THE FRONT FRAME, SAID WHEEL MEANS BEING FURTHER OPERATIVE TO DISPLACE SAID SIDE FRAME MEANS TOWARD COLLAPSED CONDITION IN RESPONSE TO FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE FRONT FRAME MEANS TO FORM A TRIANGULAR CONFIGURATION, GROUND ENGAGING SKID MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID FRONT AND SIDE FRAME MEANS FOR SUPPORTING THEREOF IN SAID EXTENDED CONDITION OF THE SIDE FRAME MEANS, SAID FRAME MEANS COMPRISING A PAIR OF SIDE FRAME ASSEMBLIES, EACH ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A FRONT 